Political Quotes

“Mr. McINTOSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3525, and I want to commend Chairman Hyde and his committee for their good work on this bill. It in some measure allows us to renew that great dream of Martin Luther King's that blacks and whites can once again walk together in this country blessed by God in a land of freedom. In the court case United States versus Lopez, Justices Kennedy and O'Connor opined that the political branches of government must fulfill grave constitutional obligation to delineate the democratic liberty and federalism and distinguish where the power to enact laws comes from. In light of that admonition, I must express my sincere doubt regarding the claimed commerce clause justification for this act. I do not believe that a mere change of wording will allow us to preserve the act from constitutional challenge. However, I will vote today to support this bill because it is a very good bill and a necessary bill and because I believe it is one of the rare instances when it is within our express authority under section 5 of the 14th amendment to enact such legislation. It is very clear that this arson which is addressed by this bill dramatically interferes with the religious liberties protected by the first amendment that the States have failed to adequately protect for minorities.”